NORTH BERGEN -- According to Captain Patrick Irwin, on Dec. 19 at 6:24 p.m., police responded to Eagle Recycling at 4711 Dell Ave. on a report of an injured party. The victim, a 22-year-old Union City man, was working and attempting to pull cardboard from a feeder belt that was clogged when both his hands became stuck inside it. The machine was then shut off but his hands became tangled in the feeder, which led to six of his fingers being severed.

Captain Irwin believes the man lost four fingers on his right hand and two on his left.

West New York EMS along with North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue responded to free him from the machine. The man was transferred to Jersey City Medical Center.

According to Irwin, OSHA was notified and responded. OSHA investigates industrial accidents and will be looking into any violations/safety issues that were not addressed at the time. Police have still not received a response from OSHA.

Eagle Recycling representatives were unavailable for comment prior to this breaking news.

When I read this story it makes me cringe. I feel really sorry for this guy. This is a really tough break. Well, at least he will have a great story to tell the grandkids someday. Really though, my sympathy is for this guy. I hope he sues the company for many, many millions and wins.

It just goes to show you must always be alert, accidents happen so dog gone fast. I at one time many years ago work on a really dangerous machine and the guy I was working with got the sleeve of his coat caught in the belt. If someone was not able to hit the emergency off switch really quick he could have died. Safety first.